Pneumatic-despatch tube and carrier.



3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

R. G. COLLINS, IR. PNEUMATIC nEsPATcR TUBE AND CARRIER.

'APPLICATION FILED APH. I5. 1914.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

WIL/meow R. G. COLLINS, JR. RNEUMATIC DEsRATcR Tusa AND CARRIER. APPLICATION FILED APR. I5. I9I4.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. .E

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPII CDuV/ASHINGI'ON. D. C.

R. G. COLLINS, In. PNEUMATIC DESPATCH TUBE AND CARRIER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I5. |914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Hader Sw YM. Lamm riga COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0., WASHINGTON. D. c.

A To all whom t may concern 'l 'RoDnRIoK e. co/,LLI'NSM'J Liaanse.

Be it known that I, Roniinioi G. ConiciNs,

Jr., a citizen of the United gStates, residing. at; New York, in the county of NewYork and State of New Yorkjhave invented new )and useful Improvements ink Pneumatic- Despatch Tubes `and Carriers, of which the following is a specification..y y

TheA ypresent inventionl relates to pneu-pk ymatic despatch apparatus, more particularly to an improved: pneumatic tube and. carrier J therefor, andyfhas for itsobject toprovide a 1tribe which maybe made of. cementitiousN material, whichmay be cheaply' laid,;whch may beL provided with .weary plates to take up the wear and protectjthe tube,r at points where the carrier yengages theU tube, wherein the :use of rails and their ac-y companying disadvantagesare` entirely done Y.

away with, which maintains thecarrierin u right osition `at all ytimes and wherein` p D p 7 they carrier is permitted a,free lateral'movement inthe tube tov prevent the binding of the carrier therein and to prevent undue friction between the carrier the tube; to y provide-a carrier having at itsopposite ends one or more supporting wheels mounted Ain the manner of. caster wheels whereby a` relatively heavyj carrierl may `travel freely through curves yin the tube, `and whereby to admit the conveying ofthe 4carrier from y. the tube on to and about aiat; platform,'orz

the like, to any/fclesired'pointfor thepurpose of storing, filling orA emptying the car,-

rier; to provide.y a carrier andtube of such shape in cross-.section as toeconomize inv space and admit ofthe utilization 'ofV .practically the entire crossi-sectional'area ofthe."v tube for carrying the load; and to provide.,

the tube atterminal fstationswith a guide or trough having side branches particularly for use withirounded bottomj carriers, 'the 1 guide or trough having one or more grooves in the tread portion thereof to receive they supporting caster wheels of theicarrier 4and guide the carrier vinto any. desiredL one of.rz the various` branches, and furthertopro vide certain improvements inthe `prior art, n,

relating particularlyto the form of apparatus shownin my co-pending, application,

Serial No. A. 822,507 nieu March,L 4.,; i914., f The above mentioned rand other yobjects and advantages ofthis inventionv will be more clearly brought out inthe following detail deserpten; .0i the., Present; embedi Specification-of Letters Patent. f

PNEUMaTiC-*Dnsrnfrcii 'rui/sn nun (manina.

fratentednug. s, i915.

Application led April 15, 1914. .Serial N o.4 831,962.5.

ofjsthe inventiomthe sam/e being shown Rljbrli'inw YORK, N. Y.

in the accompanying drawings in which,y

Figure'l is a transverse section through a despatch` tube embodying the featuresof thislinventiom and showing yin end elevation thefimproved carrier inthe tube. f Fig. 2.o isf'a klongitudinal central section taken ver,-

. tically throughfthe tube of F ig. l showing inside elevationk one endy of the carrier. Fig.4 3` is afview similar to Fig. 1 showing agslightly modified construction. Fig. 4 is. a klike view showing a further modied construction ofthe tube and carrier. Fig.r 5 isatopjplan view of a terminal leading" from the end of the, despatch tube for use particularly withthe carrier shown in Fig. 4. Fig. L6 is -a similar lview yof the terminal adapted 1 for` usel with .the carriers shown in Figs. ,l and Fig.; 7 is ahorizontal sectional, view` throughagy ycurve of x. thetube,y showing the position of n the supporting caster wheelsandthe carrier. V *o j Referring to thes'ezdrawings wherein likeV parts are designated by similar characters ofy reference throughout the several views, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 l0 designates` the pneumatic despatchtube shownin the presents. instance aslbeing'y .ofk substantially rectangular ,cross-section fand having slightly `rounded bottom 11, the middle or tread portion of'which is substantially flat. A carrierlis fitted in thetube 10 Yconforming substantially in cross-section to, the shape'of the tube, Vand is provided at lits opposite ends withheads 13. ,p ,y f Projecting outwardly yfromfe'ach head 13 are farms 14,1'l preferably Vtwo in number.,y Each arm lehas swiveledfin its outer lend and 'depending therefrom, acaster frame l5 in whichis mounted a carrier supporting wheell, therm of which'projects slightly" below the peripheral edge of the head 18, for contact withthe treadportion of the bottom, 11 of they tubo. kAs shown inFigs. 1 and 2", of they drawings, a pair of caster wheels '16 is provided uponthe head 13 of the carrier, j the wheelsbeing spaced apart uponl the head" suiiiciently to maintainthe carrier in upright positionand ,engagingthe bottom 11 at., transversely spaced apart points.k Fork the purpose ofpreventing undue rwear of the, wheelsy 16. upon .the bottom `11, andof preventing the formation of 'grooves inthe,b'ot tom which'would act as tracksand confine ther/heels fronflree lateral Plan :the tread.

so j

portionlof .the bottomll isfprovided'with one or more wear plates 17 which lie sub,- stantially flush with the surface `of the bottom 11 and are vsuitably secured inpla'ce by anchoring elements 18. The-wear or tread plates 17 may be made integral as one relatively broad tread plate, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, may be ymade in separate strips or parts as shown in Fig. 3, ormay be given any other` adaptable shape provided that they do not act as rails to confine the supporting wheels 16 from free lateral movement. 'Y Y vIt is readily seen that with a pneumatic despatch tube of this Igeneral'construction a carrier as herein'described may be used,

possessing the advantages` above enumerated, and moreover,y the carrier havingv spaced apart supporting caster 'wheels at its opposite .ends may be delivered from the tube and on to a flat terminal platform, and

may kthen be rolled about to any desired po sition for loading and discharging the carrier. As the caster wheels 16 are swivelly mounted upon the ends of the carrier, the carrier may be guided about upon the floor, a flat surface, or a platform at the terminal station, to any desired place out of the way,

f thus overcoming the vdisadvantage heretofore had in devicesof this nature wherein it has been found necessary to quickly unload and load the carrier toprevent'congestion in the tube and 'at the terminal station, and

also overcome the necessity of providing terminal stations with complicated arrangements of side tracks.

As the carrier is` permitted a free laterall movement upon the bottom 11, the heads 13`r thereofl are provided withfa'suitable num-y ber of buffer wheels 19 arranged preferably y, as shown in Figs. l1 and 2, at the opposite* sides of the head 13, and projecting slightly beyond the peripheral edge of the head for contact with the walls of the tube 10 to reduce thefricticnal contact between the carrierand'the tube, and also for the purpose of guiding the carrier in the tube. The tube 10' may be provided with wear plates 2O in the opposite sides thereof directlyf opposite the buffer wheels 19 to protect the tube 10 and prevent unduewearupon the sides thereof. Each head 13, is furtherprovided with a pair fof vertically disposed buffer" wheels 21 mounted at the top'y of the head and projecting slightly above the peripheral edge of the headv for contact with the top of the tube to reduce frictional ycontact between the tube and the carrier, particularly Where the .carrier tends to engageV the top of the tube. as when ,passing "through vertical curves. The wear plates 2O areanchored in thewalls of the tube v10rin any ysuitable manner, as by'L-shapebolts22. f

In' Fig. 3 of the drawings y Vthet'ube 10a isv shown as having a Hat bottom 11, theheadVVA .as shown in Fig..3, the supporting vcaster wheels 16 may be spaced a greaterfdistance apart than kin the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the bottom 11a is provided with separate-tread plates 17a, one foreach 'supporting wheel 16. It is of course understoodv that-the one-piece tread plate 17'shown in Fig. 1 may be advantageously used in ythe structure shown in Fig. v3.. In other respects the structure of Fig. .3 is similar vto that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. v

In Fig. 4 of c he drawing the tube 10"` is disclosed as having a rounded bottom 11b and having in its tread portion a wear or tread plate. conformingto the shape of the rounded bottom and supporting avr single casterwheel 16b located centrally upon the head 13b of the carrier. In this structure the head 13b is provided with but one arm 14", the same being located centrally of the head for supporting the single caster wheel. Lower'buifer wheels 23 are mounted on'the head 13b radially tothe arm 14b and at the opposite sides of the'caster wheels 16b fory engagement with the rounded bottom to steady the carrier in its passage throughthef tube. The tube may be provided atl-its ter# f upright position after lea-ving the tube 10b,

and also for the lpurppse of guiding the carrierinto variousbranches or side tracks 28, as shown in Fig. 5. VV'hen the carrier leaves the tube it may be propelled in any suitable manner tothe desired branch 28, when the operator may' turn thecaster wheel 26 towardthe branch or may yswing the forwardend of .the carrier towardthe branch -so as to direct thek forward caster wheel intoA the groove27 leading' tothe branch. In this manner it is onlynecessary to start the carrier in thedirection ofthe branch when the caster wheel, moving in the groove 27,

guides the carrier into the branch.- Thisv construction of terminalmay Valso be employed in connection with the carriers shown in Figs. v1 and 3 by. simply conforming 'the terminal 24a as showny inFig. 6 to the con-v figuration of the bottom Vof the carrier, and

providing in thebottom of the terminal two grooves 27a," one for each of the carrierk k*wheels 16. It is ofcourse understood thatv4 where the carrier wheels'l are disposedi'n pairs, and their rims project below the'eX- treme bottom of the carrier, the carrier may` posite ends is to admit the carrier passing,

through curves in the tube without undue frictional contact and the dragging of the carrier wheels.

As shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, wherein the curve in the tube is widened gradually from one end to the apex of the tube, and is then gradually decreased in width to the opposite end of the curve to prevent jamming of the relatively long carrier in the tube, the caster wheels which support the carrier, and which are mounted upon the opposite ends of the carrier, are permitted to travel in the true path of the curve while the carrier travels in the direction of the chord or diagonally through the curve. It is thus seen that a relatively long carrier may be employed, and` also a carrier carrying considerable weight, as the carrier wheels do not tend to bind the carrier in the curve but admit of the free passagel of the carrier therethrough.

What is claimed isl. In pneumatic despatch apparatus, a tube having a relatively fiat and smooth bottom, a carrier fitting closely in the tube, and caster wheels mounted on the opposite heads of the carrier beyond the ends thereof for contact with said bottom to support the carrier.

2. In pneumatic despatch apparatus, a carrier having a head at its end adapted to iit closely in a pneumatic tube, and a caster wheel vertically swiveled on the outer side of the head in spaced relation thereto and at a point above and out of vertical alinement with the axis of the wheel.

8. In pneumatic despatch apparatus, a tube having a substantially flat and smooth bottom, a carrier fitting in the tube throughout the entire length of the carrier, and caster wheels vertically swiveled upon the outer ends of the carrier and f extending downwardly to the bottom of the carrier for supporting the same. A

a. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a tube having a relatively flat and smooth bottom, a carrier fitting closely in said tube and conforming to the innerl contour thereoit, and wheels mounted on each end of said carrier beyond the body thereof for sustaining the carrier in upright position, said wheels being mounted to swing around vertical aXes and trail in the line of movement of the carrier.

5. In a pneumatic despatch apparatus, a

end of"` said carrier beyond the body thereof to permit said wheels always to trail in the' direction ofthe carrier.

6. In pneumatic despatch apparatus, a

y, tube having abore non-circular in cross- .section and having a substantially flat bot tom, a carrier closely itting in said tube and conforming substantially to the shape of said bore and a pair of swiveling carrier 'wheels mounted on the opposite heads of said carrierfbeyond the ends of the same and having their rims projecting slightly below the bottom of the carrier for contact with the bottom of said tube to support the carrier and whereby said swiveling carrier wheels are adapted to trail caster-like in the line of the path of the carrier.

7. In pneumatic despatch apparatus, a tube having a substantially flat and smooth bottom, a carrier in said tube having a like cross-sectional shape and closely tting in the tube, and caster wheels mounted upon the opposite heads of said carrier beyond the ends of the same and bearing upon the bottom of the tube to support the carrier, said caster wheels revolving in bearings swiveled on the vertical axes and adapted at curves to follow the true line of the curve whereby to prevent lateral dragging of the wheels and to admit of the freepassage of the carrier through a curve in the tube.

8. In pneumatic despatch apparatus, a

tube having a substantially fiat and smooth bottom, a carrier closely iitting in the tube and having a bottom of like form, a pair of caster wheels mounted upon the ends of the carrier beyond the extremities of the same and running upon the bottom of the tube to support the carrier, and buffer wheels upon said ends of the carrier for engagement with the lateral walls of the tube to reduce the frictional contact between the carrier and the tube.

9. In pneumatic despatch apparatus, a tube having a bore non-circular in cross section and having a substantially flat bottom, a carrier closely fitting in said tube and con- :forming` substantially tothe shape of the bore thereof, and a pair ofswiveled carrier wheels mounted on the opposite heads of said carrier beyond the ends thereof, the wheels being vertically swiveled at a point above and out of vertical alinement with the axis of the wheels and having their rims projecting slightly below the bottom of the carrier for contact with the bottom of the tube to support the carrier and adapted to trail caster-like in the line of the path of the carrier.

10. A pneumatic despatch apparatus a carrier having a head at'itsend adapted to In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set fit closely in a pneumatic tube, a projection my hand in presence of two subscribing wt- 10 exteiding outwardly from the head,V av demesses. pen ing 'rame swiveled vertically on the 4projection and adaptedl to swing caster like RODERIGKV G' COLLINS JR" outwardly and free of the head, and a sup- Witnesses: porting wheel mounted for rotation in the GERTRUDE M. STUCKER,

lower end of the frame. l f Jos. J. MAWHINNEY.

` Copies of this patent maybe obtained for ve cents eaychyby addressing the Gominissonerkof vlatenta n Washington, D. C. 

